Traibhumi Phra Ruang and Politics

Abstract

This qualitative research on Traibhumi Phra Ruang and Politics is conducted through academic texts and relevant scholarly documents. The objectives are: (1) to examine the origins of the literary work Traibhumi Phra Ruang in Thailand, and (2) to analyze the relationship between Traibhumi Phra Ruang and Thai political thought. The findings are as follows

1. The Origins of Traibhumi Phra Ruang in Thailand. The belief in the Three Realms (Traibhumi) originates from religious cosmology long embraced by Buddhist-majority societies. King Lithai of the Sukhothai Kingdom systematized and formalized these ideas into a literary composition. Notably, this work was created during a politically unstable period in Sukhothai’s history, giving it significant historical value and suggesting underlying motives involving political, economic, and sociocultural dimensions


2. The Relationship between Traibhumi Phra Ruang and Thai Politics. This relationship manifests in three key dimensions: (1) Foundational Thought through Cosmology – The text presents a metaphysical worldview by diagramming the structure of the universe and applying it to conceptualize the world’s center, symbolic mountains (mythical Mount Meru), divine power, and folklore ideology. (2) Governance and Political Structure – Abstract cosmological concepts are translated into concrete political structures, including the emergence of charismatic rulers (great man theory), divine kingship, hierarchical stratification, and the ideological state. (3) Resource and Urban Management – The cosmological blueprint in Traibhumi is transformed into practical models of palace and city planning, embedding water management strategies and human resource mobilization. These strategies aim to increase population through migration, leading to higher agricultural productivity and enhancing national defense during wartime.

The central principle of Traibhumi lies in its synthesis of Buddhist doctrine with indigenous beliefs, expressed through folklore. This hybridized ideology gave rise to Thailand’s unique model of divine kingship, which resonates with Thai sociopolitical contexts. Even in modern times, a significant portion of the Thai population continues to uphold this worldview